Fire officials in Northampton County say a two-alarm blaze that destroyed a Palmer Township home over the weekend was an accident. Five people were forced from their Timberline Drive house after it became engulfed in flames Sunday morning. Investigators now say the fire was caused when rags and paint brushes spontaneously combusted. The fire department recommends people dispose of oily rags by soaking them in water before storing them in a sealed nonflammable container. The residents in that home were not injured but reportedly lost everything in the fire.
One Northampton County park is off-limits until damage committed by vandals can be repaired. Wilson police say Liberty Park is being closed after someone smeared tar on playground equipment. Police photos show a damaged slide with black goo rubbed across its surface. Anyone with information on the vandalism is asked to call the Wilson Police Department with details.
An Allentown man is being charged in New Jersey for child sexual assault. Essex County officials say Luis Aviles has been arrested for allegedly committing several sexual assaults against a 14-year-old victim in the Newark public school system. The victim says they were assaulted on school property multiple times between December 2017 and September 2018. Aviles had worked for Newark Schools for almost 20 years.
In 2016, National Penn Bank became BB&T. Now, BB&T is becoming Truist. Back in February, BB&T and Sun-Trust announced their merger and now comes word that the 32 Lehigh Valley BB&T branches will be taking the name Truist.
A man on the run and wanted in connection with the shooting of former Boston Red Sox star David Ortiz may also be linked to a shooting in Reading. Police in the Dominican Republic say Luis Rivas Clase, also known as The Surgeon, is wanted in connection with the shooting of Ortiz earlier this week. A man with the same name and a similar description is wanted on a conspiracy to commit murder charge in Berks County stemming from a shooting in Reading last year. The Berks County sheriff is looking into a possible connection.
Pennsylvania drivers could face fewer vehicle emissions testing requirements. The state Senate Transportation Committee voted Wednesday to waive annual emissions inspections for vehicles that are less than nine years old. Supporters say only two-percent of new cars and trucks fail the tests in their first eight years.
Gov. Tom Wolf is likely to veto a bill set to provide $100 million in taxpayer support to private and religious schools in Pennsylvania. The bill passed through the state Senate along party lines and had only four Democrats vote for it in the House. The measure would nearly double the Educational Improvement Tax Credit to $210 million, allowing corporations direct tax dollars to their favorite private or religious schools.
A new state senator is asking Gov. Tom Wolf to send Pennsylvania's National Guard members to the U.S. southern border. St. Sen. Doug Mastriano says there's where opioids enter the country and Pennsylvania should do its part to prevent that from happening. Mastriano was sworn in Monday after winning a special election for Pennsylvania's 33rd Senate District.
Plans for a mini-casino in southern Berks County are unanimously approved by the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board. Penn National Gaming's planned $111 million mini-casino in the Morgantown area is the first mini-casino to get final approval. Penn National Gaming said that the casino will feature 750 slot machines and 30 table games as well as restaurants and bars. It could open by the end of next year.
The U.S. Geological Survey is confirming the ground did shake in central Pennsylvania last night. A 3.4 magnitude earthquake was felt last night, centered near Mifflintown, Juniata County. So far, there are no reports of any property damage.
The U.S. Supreme Court is expected to decide tomorrow on whether to hear an appeal in the 'Bridgegate' scandal. Former Gov. Chris Christie aides Bridget Kelly and Bill Baroni are seeking a hearing in front of the court. They were convicted of fraud and civil rights violations for their role in a plot to create gridlock in Fort Lee in 2013. Prosecutors say the move was political payback against Fort Lee's mayor for refusing to endorse Christie for governor.
The Philadelphia Eagles are getting ready to close up shop of the practice field. The Eagles will wrap up mandatory minicamp today. They'll return later this summer for training camp as they gear up for the regular season.